Big Ideas
736 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 40 ratingsBig Ideas brings you the best of talks, forums, debates, and festivals held in Australia and around the world, casting light on the major social, cultural, scientific and political issues
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Episodes
Achieving change needs hope
January 04, 2022 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBChanging the world begins in your own household, with the tree in your street and the bike path in your neighbourhood. Jess Scully has travelled the world, exploring the many ways of reshaping our world into a fairer and more sustainable place. She talks about how you can help. And that’s not only through public protests, but also through actively participating in council community consultations.
Does Starbucks pay enough tax?
December 30, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBRather than trying to tax corporate profits at the location where value is created, we should tax this income at the destination of sales.
Why do we use deception and lies?
December 28, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhat is truth? How has it evolved? And what is its impact anyway? Evolutionary science shows that subtle social manipulation of fellow group members was a key driver of intelligence in the human lineage. And even animals use trickery to their advantage. Big Ideas looks at why we lie and why deception is so widespread in modern public discourse.
Remote work and loneliness
December 27, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBMany of us are working from a home office or the kitchen table . The pandemic has boosted the popularity of remote work but we want to make sure it's good quality work and not lose the benefits of face to face contact with colleagues. One of the downsides is loneliness. Lockdowns and working alone can make you feel disconnected and lonely. Loneliness increases your risk of serious disease and the UK now has a Minster for Loneliness responsible for a g...
The psychology of fashion
December 23, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhat we wear reflects who we are, and who we aspire to be. Research suggests the garments we wear can also affect our mental state in positive, and negative, ways. Wearing different clothing changes how we feel, and how others perceive us. Can fashion really make us feel better about ourselves? A panel of experts at the Queensland Museum discusses.
How music boosts learning and well-being
December 21, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBNumeracy and literacy are the core business of Australian schools. But should we add music to that list? Too often in schools music is seen as an optional extra yet research shows that learning to play a musical instrument boosts cognitive development and gives children the edge at school. Music is also a tonic for emotional well being.
How to become a good listener – and why that’s important
December 20, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAre you a good listener? Unfortunately, not many of us can answer that with a convinced ‘yes’. And that’s even though listening is at the core of every relationship. Losing the ability to listen has profound social, psychological, and neuroscientific impacts. But the good news is: You can learn how to do it – quite easily in fact.
Tobacco endgame and sleep
December 16, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAre e-cigarettes an effective way to give up tobacco smoking? Health authorities weigh up the pros and cons and acknowledge we need long term studies to be clear about their safety. And sleep experts explain why you should make sleep a priority in your busy life .
Who is to blame for the environmental crisis, and what needs to change?
December 15, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBFor too long ordinary people have been singled out - their actions, and consumption habits, blamed for climate change. Instead, we should be pointing the finger at large corporations, and growth-based economics. So believes writer Jeff Sparrow, whose book Crimes Against Nature argues that unless the economic system changes, no amount of recycling, or individual action, is likely to achieve much. He tells Paul Barclay that, despite this, he is optim...
The gender authority gap and leadership
December 14, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWomen are moving up the ladder in business and politics but are they taken as seriously as men? Leadership research says there’s an authority gap between men and women with men seen as naturally better suited for positions of authority. They’re more likely to be listened to and judged in a positive light. So how do we close the gender authority gap?
The false history of our Christmas traditions – and why we need them
December 13, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBChristmas has always been about riotous feasting and getting drunk – never about renewing your faith. Presents are not really part of a proper Christmas party. Social historian Judith Flanders debunks Christmas myths and traditions and explores how everything you think you know about Christmas is wrong. She even questions whether Christmas ever really existed at all.
Nanotechnology and saving coral reefs
December 09, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBNanotechnology opens up a world of possibilities from powering mobile phones to nano devices which restore sight, treat chronic disease or turn your roof into a water collector. And faced with the threat of climate change , marine scientists are proposing lateral solutions for coral reefs. The race is on to assist the evolution of corals which are resilient to warming oceans.
Trailblazing doctor Caroline de Costa: champion of women's reproductive rights
December 08, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 50 MBCaroline De Costa was the first woman in Australia to become a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology. She has been at the forefront of the political struggle to legalise the medical abortion drug, RU486, in Australia. Caroline has also successfully advocated for the decriminalisation of abortion in Australia. Her memoir is titled The Women's Doc.
Climate friendly food production
December 07, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAs the global population steadily grows and climate change bites, food producers need to do more with less. Less water, less energy, less land, and fewer emissions. To further upset the apple cart , we face an increased number of extreme weather events which will play havoc with harvests and livestock. So how can Australian farmers meet their climate targets and feed the world ?
How to talk through conflict
December 06, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBEvery interaction between people follows four styles: Control (the lion), Capitulate (the mouse), Confront (the Tyrannosaur) and Co-operate (the monkey). Forensic psychologists Emily and Laurence Alison have developed a successful model of interpersonal communication. They tell you how to get what you want. And how to talk to anyone in a difficult situation.
The cultural economy after Covid
December 02, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBThe value of the arts is often expressed in economic terms. The creative industries create jobs and are a valuable global export. But rather than economics telling us something about the arts, can the arts tell us something about economics? And how to reimagine economics after Covid?
Political leadership and the larrikin myth
December 01, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAustralia has a larrikin tradition, stretching back to Ned Kelly and Henry Lawson. But, is a lot of what passes for larrikinism, a fabrication? Has it been used as a form of class cover: a disguise for those who aren’t genuine larrikins? Has this faux-persona been exploited by political leaders for electoral gain? Paul Barclay asks author Lech Blaine
Motherhood and positivity
November 30, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAs womens’ roles have changed so too have ideas about mothering , its appeal and challenges. Historian Carla Pascoe Leahy charts the way different generations of Australian mothers have responded to their role. From the stay-at-home mums of the post-war era to the contemporary mother trying to balance career and family, becoming a mother has always been a watershed moment in a woman's life..
Citizen science and urban birds
November 29, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBLike other animals birds have adapted to living in cities. Lorikeets, powerful owls, cockatoos , brush turkeys and white ibis are just some of the birds who've learned to live in the suburbs. And to befriend the humans who feed them. Our understanding of urban birds is greatly enhanced by the citizen scientists who observe and record their numbers and behaviour in backyards and neighbourhoods.
Biden's renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific
November 25, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBSoon after entering the White House, President Biden told the world: America is back. That sentence drew a line under his predecessor and summed up his intention to restore America to its leading position in global affairs. And there’s lots to do as he navigates the pandemic, the climate emergency and intense competition with China and Russia. Biden’s National Security Advisor outlines the Biden plan.
The decline of American leadership
November 24, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBThe world has entered a post-American era. Some call it the ‘Asian century’. US global leadership is in decline, and Asia is now in the ascendancy. China, in particular, is asserting itself as a global power. So believes Michael Pembroke, who argues in his book, Play By the Rules, that after leading the creation of the post Second World War rules based order, US moral authority has since been diminishing.
Henry Parkes’ fight for a federation
November 23, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBSir Henry Parkes’ vison for Federation has taken a beating over the last two years. The Father of the Federation has fought for over a decade to convince Australia that a Commonwealth is stronger than a collection of colonies – or states. Big Ideas reflects on the life of Henry Parkes – and what motivated him to help forge Australia into nationhood.
Western Australia’s relationship with the federation
November 22, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAustralia is a federation. But the COVID-sponsored resurgence of the states illustrated how little notice we typically take of our federal contract. On Big Ideas, we look at the history of the Australian Commonwealth and in particular at Western Australia, a state that has often been deemed ‘the Cinderella state of the Australian Federation’.
Polarization and social status
November 18, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBFor all our sophistication, deep down , humans are highly evolved social animals And basic instincts continue to shape behaviour in the modern world. In daily life, on social media, in the groups we join, we find our tribe , defend our tribe and seek social status within the tribe. It’s our greatest strength and our greatest weakness.
War crimes and the Australian SAS
November 17, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBThe reputation of Australia’s elite Special Air Service, the SAS, has been seriously undermined by disturbing allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan. The allegations shocked the nation, and led to an Australian Federal Police investigation, and the Brereton inquiry into war crimes. Paul Barclay speaks to ABC journalist and author, Mark Willacy, whose Gold Walkley award winning 4 Corners program included video footage of an illegal killing. ...
Fair Game: tackling racism in sport
November 16, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIt’s a dream for many young Australians to be a sports star. You win games. Win medals. You’re a hero to the fans. AFL star Adam Goodes had ticked all the boxes when he came up against career-destroying racist abuse. His experience has forced clubs to confront racist attitudes and take affirmative action.
Food: It starts on the farm
November 15, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBCruel mass production or happy cows on Old MacDonald’s farm - people often have a distorted idea of how agriculture works. It’s a business, yes. And often the price of food doesn’t cover the costs of production, resulting in the exploitation of workers and the environment. But farmers are also in the front line of protecting soil quality and improving water recourses. Our relationship with food impacts farming in Australia. ...
Regional communities making the transition to net zero
November 11, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBReady or not , the goal is net zero carbon emissions by 2050. And Australia will be held to account. As the Glasgow climate talks come to an end , we hear from regional communities about the push to net zero. Where to now for places built around coal and coal-fired power stations?
COVID-19 and cancer
November 10, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 50 MBFor cancer patients, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an extremely anxious time. Those with weakened immune systems are more likely to pick up COVID-19, and this can cause serious illness, or death. Given the risks, healthcare systems have reorganised cancer services to ensure patients get the care they need, while minimising exposure to COVID-19. But it’s not been without compromise, and research also suggests, the pandemic has contributed to increas...
Israel - ‘the Jewish State'
November 09, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhat does it mean for Israel to be a Jewish state? This is a much more complicated question than it first seems. The meaning of Jewish sovereignty in Israel revolves around Zionism’s charged relation with its own Jewish roots and Israel’s subsequent unresolved claim to a non-religious Jewish identity. This tension stands at the core of Israeli socio-politics and shapes the politics of the Middle-East at large.
Can business push for ambitious climate targets?
November 08, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWith COP 26 in full swing we hear from some of the big players in Australian business about the push for net zero emissions by 2050. Representatives from BHP, Coles, Fortescue and the Australian Industry Group talk about their plans to reduce emissions. Will business convince governments that we can reach our climate targets?
Ageing gracefully
November 04, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBHow do you hope life will be when you grow old? The majority of Australians will continue to live independently. But if you do have to go into residential care, what should that look like? What do you need for a fulfilling life into old age?
Lessons from the pandemic
November 03, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBLockdowns are ending, travel and quarantine restrictions are lifting. After nearly two years of the pandemic, life is returning to a kind of normal. Well, ‘covid-normal’, anyway. But not everyone is celebrating. Covid-19 fatalities, and hospitalisations, are still mounting, and some people remain vulnerable. Paul Barclay speaks with three contributors to the Griffith Review’s “Hey Utopia!” edition about the big questions that remain unresolved. ...
Should there be limits on free speech?
November 02, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBThe freedom to speak your mind is important in a democracy. But does that mean you should have the right to say anything you like? Social media platforms are now urged to block hate speech and misinformation. Is this fair enough or the death of free speech?
Is trust in science growing?
November 01, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBOpinions trump facts and truth is no longer absolute. Science is under attack in a world where misinformation thrives, fake news can go viral and conspiracy theories are more popular than ever. How have we arrived at this place of mistrust and what can we do to stand up for science? Why should we trust scientists? Or perhaps more tellingly, what does it mean if we can’t?
Cities after the pandemic
October 28, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhen was the last time you went into the centre of your capital city or regional town? Almost every service is now available online or at a big suburban shopping mall. And Covid lockdowns have turned the CBDs into ghost towns. So will the CBD and city lifestyles be the same after the restrictions lift?
Ending gender discrimination in construction
October 27, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBConstruction is the second most male dominated industry in Australia, after mining. Sexism persists, and discrimination against women in the workplace is rife. The gender pay gap is over 26%, and growing. Yet the industry faces a skills shortage - a shortage that could be filled by increased female participation. How do we abolish gender bias in the Australian construction industry?
China’s wolf warrior diplomacy
October 26, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIn the past several years China has become more assertive, and its diplomats have again used sharper language — it’s been called ‘wolf warrior diplomacy’ and has a long history. Peter Martin discusses China’s diplomacy today and its impact; describes the motivations behind wolf warrior diplomacy and how diplomats are being rewarded for their aggressive rhetoric and posture.
Hen welfare
October 25, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAustralians consume 17 million eggs every day which is pretty good going for a country of 25 million people. When you buy eggs do you think about those hard-working hens? And does it matter to you if they’re in a cage or out in the paddock?
Future of religion
October 21, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhat is the future of religion? Many see the declining number of ‘traditional believers’ as a clear sign that religion has no future. Others resist any idea that our established religions might adapt to new cultural trends. But religions come and go. Always have and always will. The latest shift of religion is not secularism, but atomisation into individual believes.
Oh, the humanities
October 20, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBThe biggest tertiary reforms in decades are taking shape in our universities. Are students attracted to cut-priced STEM courses and rejecting humanities subjects that have doubled in price? Insiders suggest another possibility: cash-strapped universities could create more places in higher fee courses.
Is demography destiny?
October 19, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBHow many houses, schools, pensions, and skilled workers will we need in the next decade? The answer to that requires a handle on the size and shape of our population. Demographers give governments a snapshot but the modelling contains guesswork about fertility rates , life expectancy and immigration policy. Could we do more to make Australia an attractive destination for skilled migrants?
The age care sector needs structural reform
October 18, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBAustralia’s aged care system needs an overhaul. The Royal Commission into aged care was very clear on that in their report. The government has promised over 17 billion dollars to respond to the commission’s recommendations. But there is much unfinished business. On Big Ideas, aged care researchers and practitioners point out missed opportunities and how we could do better.
Harmful care
October 14, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBHarmful care might be an oxymoron but that’s how 18-year-old Oceane Campbell experienced the mental health system. She felt blamed and shamed for attempting suicide and had to re-tell her story multiple times. Twenty years on she and her once alienated mother reflect on inter-generational trauma, rape and suicide.
Jung Chang on modern China and Cixi
October 13, 2021 09:05 - 55 minutes - 50.8 MBThe Empress Dowager, Cixi, led China for the best part of 50 years, from 1861 till her death in 1908, modernising the then medieval country. She did so at a time when women had no formal mandate to rule. While Cixi was capable of ruthlessness, writer, Jung Chang says the last hundred years have been most unfair to her. Jung Chang discusses Cixi, modern China and her relationship to her homeland.
Ginger Meggs - 100th Anniversary
October 12, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBGinger Meggs – he is an Australian celebrity. Famous in over 30 countries and entertaining adults and children alike for 100 years now. The cartoon character Ginger Meggs started out as a newspaper strip. But now he has an Instagram account, lives on merchandises and even got a movie. One has to go with the times, right. Especially, if you want to draw attention for another century.
The future of justice
October 11, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhat can be done about the deepening divisions in society? Individualism is increasing, as is the gap between rich and poor. And, the emphasis on self-made success can further alienate the disadvantaged.
What is Australia doing to help Afghans?
October 07, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBDoes Australia have a moral obligation to do more to help Afghanis? It’s unclear how many of the 38-million people of Afghanistan face insecurity, food shortages, service failures and other hardships. Canada has promised 20 000 refugee visas, six times Australia’s initial allocation.
What is Australia doing to help Afghanis?
October 07, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBDoes Australia have a moral obligation to do more to help Afghanis? It’s unclear how many of the 38-million people of Afghanistan face insecurity, food shortages, service failures and other hardships. Canada has promised 20 000 refugee visas, six times Australia’s initial allocation.
Addiction, drugs and the brain
October 06, 2021 09:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBMarc Lewis took every drug imaginable over a 15-year period. He knows drugs can make you feel good, and he experienced the desperate lows of addiction. He's been drug free for over 30 years and is now a neuroscientist. So, what do the drugs he took actually do to your brain? How is the brain responsible for addiction?